20th anniversary

20th anniversary of the WTO

In 2015, the WTO commemorated its 20th anniversary. During the year, a series of events were held, such as book launches, conferences, exhibitions and other specially organized activities, focusing on various aspects of the WTO's work over the past two decades.

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20 Years of the WTO

  

Some of the key events over the past 20 years

  • 2015

    Tenth Ministerial Conference
    December 2015

    Tenth Ministerial Conference takes place in Nairobi, Kenya. “Nairobi Package” adopted


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  • 2015

    162nd member
    November 2015

    Kazakhstan becomes the WTO’s 162nd member.


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  • 2015

    161st member
    April 2015

    Seychelles becomes the WTO’s 161st member.


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  • 2014

    160th member
    June 2014

    Yemen becomes the WTO’s 160th member.


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  • 2014

    Agreement on Government Procurement
    April 2014

    Revised WTO Agreement on Government Procurement enters into force.


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  • 2013

    Ninth Ministerial Conference
    December 2013

    Ninth Ministerial Conference takes place in Bali, Indonesia. “Bali Package” adopted.


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  • 2013

    Roberto Azevêdo
    September 2013

    Roberto Azevêdo (Brazil) takes office as WTO Director-General.


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  • 2012

    Russia joins WTO
    August 2012

    Russia becomes the WTO’s 156th member.


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  • 2011

    Eighth Ministerial Conference
    December 2011

    Eighth Ministerial Conference takes place in Geneva


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  • 2010

    Chairs Programme
    January 2010

    ldquo;Chairs Programme” launched to support developing country universities.


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  • 2009

    400
    November 2009

    WTO disputes reach 400 mark.


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  • 2009

    Seventh Ministerial Conference
    November 2009

    Seventh Ministerial Conference takes place in Geneva.


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  • 2009

    Open Day
    September 2009

    First WTO Open Day in Geneva


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  • 2009

    Pascal Lamy
    April 2009

    DG Pascal Lamy reappointed for second term of four years.


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  • 2007

    Global Review of Aid for Trade
    November 2007

    First Global Review of Aid for Trade takes place in Geneva.


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  • 2007

    150st member
    January 2007

    Viet Nam becomes the WTO’s 150st member


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  • 2006

    Public Forum
    September 2006

    First WTO Public Forum takes place in Geneva.


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  • 2005

    Sixth Ministerial Conference
    September 2005

    Sixth Ministerial Conference takes place in Hong Kong, China. Aid for Trade initiative is launched. Hong Kong Declaration is approved


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  • 2005

    Pascal Lamy
    September 2005

    Pascal Lamy (France) becomes WTO Director-General.


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  • 2003


    September 2003

    Fifth Ministerial Conference takes place in Cancún, Mexico


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  • 2002

    Supachai Panitchpakdi
    September 2002

    Supachai Panitchpakdi (Thailand) is elected WTO Director-General.


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  • 2001

    China joins WTO
    November 2001

    China becomes the WTO’s 143rd member


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  • 2001

    Fourth Ministerial Conference
    November 2001

    Fourth Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar. Doha Development Agenda is launched.


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  • 2000

    Agriculture
    March 2000

    Negotiations begin on agriculture.


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  • 2000

    Services
    January 2000

    Negotiations begin on services.


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  • 1999

    Mike Moore
    September 1999

    Mike Moore (New Zealand) becomes WTO Director-General.


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  • 1999

    Third Ministerial Conference
    November 1999

    Third Ministerial Conference takes place in Seattle, US.


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  • 1998

    Second Ministerial Conference
    May 1998

    Second Ministerial Conference takes place in Geneva


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  • 1997

    Financial Services Agreement
    December 1997

    70 WTO members reach a multilateral agreement to open their financial services sector.


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  • 1996

    First Ministerial Conference
    December 1996

    First Ministerial Conference takes place in Singapore.


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  • 1995

    Renato Ruggiero
    May 1995

    Renato Ruggiero (Italy) takes office as WTO Director-General.


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  • 1995

    WTO
    January 1995

    The WTO is born on 1 January.


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  • 1994

    Marrakesh Agreement
    April 1994

    Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO is signed.


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